Apparatus for extracting citrus peel oil from whole fruit

ABSTRACT

A series of pairs of toothed roll assemblies form bights or troughs for reception of whole lemons, and all of the toothed roll assemblies turn in the same direction, every other one turning at higher speed. The higher speed rolls comprise a plurality of discs each having a toothed periphery, the discs being frictionally driven from a supporting shaft. The slower speed rolls comprise toothed discs of the same type but are clamped solidly to rotate with the slower speed shaft. Each of the slower speed rolls includes a plurality of bumper elements spaced along the length of the roll and each having a protuberance extending beyond the periphery of the toothed discs, the protuberances serving to shift the lemons about in the troughs between adjacent rolls and to insure that substantially the entire outer surface of the lemon is exposed to the oil cell puncturing action of the teeth of the discs. The toothed discs are submerged in a pool of water and the puncturing action takes place below the water level to minimize losses in recovery of the oil. A conveyor driven by a Geneva movement advances intermittently to move the lemons from one trough to the next.

Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney-Lyon & Lyon United States Patent [151 3,707,176 Bushman [451 Dec. 26, 1972 [541 APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING CITRUS PEEL OIL FROM WHOLE [57] ABSTRACT FRUIT A series of pairs of toothed roll assemblies form bights [72] Inventori Ron. C, B h H i d or troughs for reception of whole lemons, and all of Heights, m the toothed roll assemblies turn in the same direction, every other one turning at higher speed. The higher [73] Asslgnee: l' f corpor'fionr speed rolls comprise a plurality of discs each having a Comm Callftoothed periphery, the discs being frictionally driven 22 Filed; 23 7 from a supporting shaft. The slower speed rolls comprise toothed discs of the same type but are clamped pp N05 15 solidly to rotate with the slower speed shaft. Each of the slower speed rolls includes a plurality of bumper 52 us. Cl. .sa/z 99/495 99/516 elements Spaced alng the length and each [5]] Incl A23 1700, 5 15/02 having a' protuberance extending beyond the periphery of the toothed discs, the protuberances serv- [58] Field of Search ..146/3 R, 3 K, 3 M, 56 g to shift the lemons about in the troughs between adjacent rolls and to insure that substantially the en- [56] References Cited tire outer surface of the lemon is exposed to the oil UNITED STATES PATENTS cell puncturing action of the teeth of the discs. The toothed discs are submerged in'a pool of water and {he lpuncturing action takes placebteigw tliieAwater 3,183,825 5/1965 James 46/3 R x eve to m'mmlze m recovery 0 e veyor driven by a Geneva movement advances intermittently to move the lemons from one trough to the next.

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SHEET 3 OF 5 a e R63 QllHllllll' lllllllllll INVENTOR eoA/Aw c". 5U$HMAN 3.707.176 SHEEI 5 OF 5 mm W9 H PATENTED UEB26 m2 INVENTOR EON/44D a. 505mm A 7' TOEA/ V5 APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING CITRUS PEEL OIL FROM WHOLE FRUIT This invention relates to apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit such as lemons. The extraction of the oil is accomplished on the whole fruit before the juice isextracted therefrom, in order to obtain maximum recovery of the oil and to avoid loss of oil during the juice extraction process.

A problem is presented in that lemons vary considerably in size and shape and are always oblong rather than spherical, with a projection at one or both ends. For this reason it is difficult to puncture all of the oil cells on the outer surface of the lemon without doing substantial damage to the fruit which would interfere with subsequent extraction of the juice. 4

In accordance with this invention, the lemons are caused to spin in the bight or trough between adjacent parallel rolls having pointed teeth on their peripheries. Each roll is formed of a plurality of axially spaced metal discs, each disc having pointed teeth on its periphery. The pairs of rolls operate within a receptacle and the level of water therein covers the rolls so that the lemons are partially submersed during the oil extraction operation. The rolls all turn in the same direction, with alternate rolls turning faster.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation partly broken away showing a portion of the device of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken substantially on the lines 3-3 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 4-4 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 6-6 as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a frame generally designated 10 includes supporting legs 11 and parallel upright side members 12. Pairs of roll assemblies 13 and 14 are carried on individual plate members 15 and 16 secured to the side members 12. Each roll assembly spans the distance between the side members 12 and has an overhanging portion at each end. The roll assemblies have their respective axes contained in the same horizontal plane, and while seven pairs of roll assemblies are shown in the drawings, a greater or lesser number may be employed as desired. The frame 10 includes a bottom wall 18 and end walls 19 and 20 which cooperate with the members 12 and 15 to form a watertight receptacle 21 for a pool of water.

Each of the toothed roll assemblies 13 comprises a shaft 23 having a plurality of individual circular metal discs 24 mounted thereon, each having pointed teeth 25 on its periphery. The discs 24 are all duplicates and each is separated from the next disc by means of a nonmetallic split spacer 26 frictionally engaging the shaft. The series of alternating discs 24 and spacers 26 extends from an integral flange 27 on the shaft 23 to a collar 28 which is mounted to move axially on the shaft 23. A tube 29 mounted to slide on the shaft 23 slides through the bushing 31 carried on the plate 16. A coil compression spring 32 encircles a portion of the shaft 23 and is confined between an adjusting nut 33 and a collar 34 which engages the tube 29. The force of the spring 32 serves to clamp the toothed discs 24 and spacers 26 between the collar 28 and the flange 27, and the position of the nut 33 on the shaft 23 determines the force of the spring. Thus, the toothed discs 24 are not fixed rigidly to the shaft 23 but are restrained from turning by frictional resistance of adjacent spacers 26. Each disc is enabled to turn relative to the shaft if the frictional resistance is overcomeby forces applied to the teeth 25.

Each roll assembly 13 also projects through bushing 35 carried in plate 15. This bushing supports the tube 36 which supports the split clamping ring 37, serving to limit endwise movement of the shaft 23. The shaft 23 and roll assembly 13 are driven by the driving sprocket 38 which is fixed to the shaft and which is engaged by chain 39. An idler sprocket 40 rotates freelyv on the shaft 23 and is engaged by chain 41.

Each roll assembly 14 is similar to the roll assembly 13 just described, with the following exceptions. A metal collar 43 replaces the coil spring 32 between the nut 44 and the washer 45, so that the toothed discs 46 and split non-metallic spacers 47 are clamped solidly to the shaft 48 between the integral flange 49 and the collar 50. The toothed discs 46 are duplicates of the toothed discs 24, and the split spacers 47 are duplicates of the split spacers 26. However, every fourth toothed disc in the series is replaced by a non-circular bumper ring 52 having a smooth outer periphery 53, smaller in diameter than the toothed disks 46, and having a radially projecting protuberance or bumper 54. The shaft 48 and roll assembly 14 are driven by the driving sprockets 55 which are fixed to the shafts 48 and which are engaged by the chain 41. An idler sprocket 56 rotates freely on the shaft 48 and is engaged by chain 39.

j The chain 39 has a zig-zag path, passing over driving sprockets 38 to rotate toothed roll assemblies 13, and passing under idler sprockets 56 mounted to rotate freely on shafts 48 of the toothed roll assemblies 14. Similarly, chain 41 has a zig-zag path, passing over driving sprockets 55 to rotate toothed roll assemblies 14 and passing under idler sprockets 40 which turn freely on shafts 23 of the toothed roll assemblies 13. The chain 39 travels faster than the chain 41 in order to drive the roll assemblies 13 approximately twice the RPM of the roll assemblies 14. Chain 39 is driven from sprocket 58 mounted on shaft 59 (FIG. 1) and chain 41 is driven from sprocket 57 mounted on shaft 59. The shaft 59 is driven through chain 97 and sprocket 98 from a variable speed drive motor 99. From this description it will be understood that operation of the drive motor 63 serves to turn all of the toothed roll assemblies in the same direction, with the roll assemblies 13 rotating at twice the speed of the roll assemblies 14.

Parallel conveyor chains 60 and 61 are guided on parallel support bars 62 and 63, respectively, fixed to the frame 10. At the ends of the stationary support bars 62 and 63 the chains 60 and 61 engage pairs of sprockets 64 and 65 mounted on shafts 66 and 67, respectively. The chains 60 and 61 also pass over pairs of sprockets 69, '70, 71 and 72. The sprockets 69 are driven by sprockets 74 and chain 75 from the Geneva l060l2 Ol 10 motion device 76. A variable speed motor and speed reduction assembly 77 drive the geneva device 76 through chain 78. The Geneva motion device 76 causes the parallel chains 60 and 61 to movewith an intermittent motion.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the parallel chains 60 and 61 are connected at intervals by transverse pusher bars 80. These pusher bars 80 move as a unit with the conveyor chains. Each of the pusher bars 80 is provided with laterally spaced flange extensions 81 and 82. These cooperate with their respective pusher bars to form pockets 83 for reception of the fruit. The conveyor chains 60 and 61 are held down by stationary hold down bars 94 supported at intervals on the frame by means of brackets 95 and spacers 96.

A stationary skirt 85 follows the path of travel of the chains 60 and 61 in the region near the pairs of sprockets 72 and 64. This stationary skirt 85 is mounted on the frame and cooperates with the pusher bars 80 and flange elements 81 and 82 to form an intake chute for lemons or other citrus fruit introduced through the supply chute 84. This skirt 85 terminates just short of the first toothed roll assembly 13. The chains 60, 61', bars 80 and flange members 81 and 82 travel horizontally along the guide bars 62 and 63 above the pairs of toothed roll assemblies 13 and 14. Another stationary skirt 86 follows the path of the chains 60 and 61 in the region of the pairs of sprockets 65 and 69 and cooperates with the bars 80 and flange members 81 and 82 to convey fruit away from the last pair of toothed roll assemblies to the discharge chute 87.

in operation, whole lemons or other citrus fruit are delivered through supply chute 84 into the traveling pockets 83 formed between the pusher bars 80 and flange members 81 and 82 mounted between the conveyor chains 60 and 61. Four or five lemons L, depending upon the size of the fruit, are carried along in each pocket between pusher bars 80. The conveyor chains move intermittently so that the lemons L shown in phantom lines in H6. 3 rest in the troughs or bights 91 and 92 formed between adjacent roll assemblies 13 and .14. The lemons spin because the roll assemblies are turning in the same direction. The sharp teeth and 46 of the roll assemblies 13 and 1 4 puncture the oil cells on the outer surface of the lemons, releasing the oil into the pool of water within the receptacle 21.

7 Because the roll assemblies 13 turn faster than the roll assemblies 14, each lemon L is driven downward into the troughs 91 as it is rotated. The troughs 91 are active troughs where most of the oil is extracted. In the other troughs 92, the faster roll assembly 13 tends to lift the lemons out of the trough 92, resulting in less efficient oil extraction.

Because the lemons L are typically oblong in shape rather than spherical, they tend to spin about an axis disposed at an angle with respect to the rotary axes of the roll assemblies 13 and 14, as shown in H0. 3. This tendency to spin about an angular inclined axis would prevent the toothed roll assemblies from contacting substantially the entire outer surface of the lemon. Accordingly, means are provided for shifting the rotational axes of the lemons to insure that substantially all of the oil cells on the surface of each lemon are punctured. As shown in the drawings, this means comprises the protuberances 54 on the bumper rings 52 on the roll assemblies 14. These protuberances 54 bump the lemons L as they spin within the troughs 91, causing their respective spin axes to change. The angular positions of the protuberances 54 are staggered along. the length of the roll assemblies 14 to minimize static unbalance and to insure random action in contact with the lemons L. Slippage of individual toothed discs 24 with respect to the shaft 23 on which they are mounted enables individual discs to slow down with'respect to other discs, and it has been found that this enhances the oil cell puncturing function of the teeth 25 while preventing excessive damage and shredding of the outer peripheral portion of the skin of the lemon.

A large portion of each lemon L is below the water level in the receptacle 21, and, accordingly, most .of the lemon oil in the rind is discharged into this pool of water. Conventional means, not shown, are provided for removing the lemon oil from the water.' A removable cover 93 provides access to the interior of the machine for cleaning.

The conveyor chains and 61 advance intermittently to move the lemons L from one trough 91 to the next. When the lemons leave the last trough in the series, they pass upward along the skirt 86 and are discharged through the chute 87.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that 1 am not to be limited to the details herein set forth but that my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, and means for rotating said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit, said means acting to drive one of the rolls faster than the other.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which a conveyor moves intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and out of it. a

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the discs of one of the rolls are frictionally driven to permit slippage of individual discs.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the discs of one of the rolls are clamped together for rotation as a unit without slippage of individual discs.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which bumper rings are interposed between discs on one of the rolls to vary the position of the axis of spin of citrus fruit turned by the rolls.

7. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal toothed roll assemblies forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, means for rotating said rolls in the samedirection to spin the fruit, a receptacle for a pool of water to cover the tooth roll assemblies, conveyor means moving intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and removing it from the trough, and means for driving the conveyor means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 in which one of the roll assemblies is driven faster than the other.

l060l2 Ol ll 9. The combination set forth in claim 7 in which one of the roll assemblies is provided with axially spaced bumper rings to vary the position of the axis of spin of citrus fruit.

10. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery for engagement with the citrus fruit, means whereby the discs of a first roll are frictionally driven to permit slippage ofindividual discs, means for clamping the discs in the other roll for rotation as a unit without relative slippage, means for rotating said rolls in the same direction, the first roll faster than the other, to spin the fruit, and a plurality of axially spaced bumper rings on said other roll to vary the position of the spinning fruit in the trough, each bumper ring having at least one peripheral protuberance.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which a conveyor moves intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and out of it.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.

13. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit comprising in combination: a series of pairs of parallel horizontal rolls, each pair forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery for engagement with the citrus fruit, means for rotating all of said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit in each trough, conveyor means moving intermittently for moving fruit into and out of each trough, and means for driving the conveyor means.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.

15. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, one roll comprising a rotary shaft loosely supporting a plurality of metal discs, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, the discs being separated by split non.- metallic spacers frictionally gripping said shaft, means for clamping the discs and spacers axially for driving the discs frictionally from the shaft to permit slippage of individual discs, and means for rotating said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit. 

1. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, and means for rotating said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit, said means acting to drive one of the rolls faster than the other.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which a conveyor moves intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and out of it.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the discs of one of the rolls are frictionally driven to permit slippage of individual discs.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the discs of one of the rolls are clamped together for rotation as a unit without slippage of individual discs.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which bumper rings are interposed between discs on one of the rolls to vary the position of the axis of spin of citrus fruit turned by the rolls.
 7. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal toothed roll assemblies forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, means for rotating said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit, a receptacle for a pool of water to cover the tooth roll assemblies, conveyor means moving intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and removing it from the trough, and means for driving the conveyor means.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 7 in which one of the roll assemblies is driven faster than the other.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 7 in which one of the roll assemblies is provided with axially spaced bumper rings to vary the position of the axis of spin of citrus fruit.
 10. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery for engagement with the citrus fruit, means whereby the discs of a first roll are frictionally driven to permit slippage of individual discs, means for clamping the discs in the other roll for rotation as a unit without relative slippage, means for rotating said rolls in the same direction, the first roll faster than the other, to spin the fruit, and a plurality of axially spaced bumper rings on said other roll to vary the position of the spinning fruit in the trough, each bumper ring having at least one peripheral protuberance.
 11. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which a conveyor moves intermittently to bring citrus fruit into the trough and out of it.
 12. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.
 13. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit comprising in combination: a series of pairs of parallel horizontal rolls, each pair forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, each roll comprising a plurality of metal discs in axially spaced relationship, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery for engagement with the citrus fruit, means for rotating all of said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit in each trough, conveyor means moving intermittently for moving fruit into and out of each trough, and means for driving the conveyor means.
 14. The combination set forth in claim 13 in which the rolls operate beneath the upper level of a pool of water.
 15. Apparatus for extracting oil from the rind of whole citrus fruit, comprising in combination: a pair of parallel horizontal rolls forming a trough between them for reception of citrus fruit, one roll comprising a rotary shaft loosely supporting a plurality of metal discs, each disc having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, the discs being separated by split non-metallic spacers frictionally gripping said shaft, means for clamping the discs and spacers axially for driving the discs frictionally from the shaft to permit slippage of individual discs, and means for rotating said rolls in the same direction to spin the fruit. 